Shannon nears senior call with 90-run knock

James Shannon threw his hat in the ring for promotion to the senior team with a fine innings of 90 in Sylhet yesterday as well as giving the Ireland Wolves the sniff of a chance of pulling off what would be a remarkable victory against Bangladesh A.

James Shannon threw his hat in the ring for promotion to the senior team with a fine innings of 90 in Sylhet yesterday as well as giving the Ireland Wolves the sniff of a chance of pulling off what would be a remarkable victory against Bangladesh A.

Shannon, a former U-19 star from Belfast, struck three sixes in four balls at one stage and looked set for a match-turning century before he became one of a disturbing six lbw victims in the Wolves' second innings of 213 all out, that set the home side a modest victory target of 132.

Another 40 or 50 runs would have given the Wolves a genuine chance and the batting trio of Sean Terry, Stuart Thompson and Shane Getkate will be disappointed to have got out in the 20s after the tourists had battled back at the start of play.

George Dockrell claimed 2-2 from seven overs as the final four Bangladesh first-innings wickets fell for the addition of only 15 runs, while Andy McBrine delivered a strong finish to the third day as well with two wickets as the home side closed on 27-2, needing a further 105 to win.

Meanwhile, Ireland have been confirmed as one of the 13 participants in the ICC's new ODI league, which will give greater context to 50-overs matches with all the major teams having to play each other home and away from 2020.